Preserving Everetteville's History
The Everetteville Historical Association's first goal is to protect and preserve the history of our community. We undertake a great many projects to save the cultural and historical resources that are so very valuable to remembering our past, and planning for our future. Below are just a few examples of how the EHA is working hard to keep our cherished heritage alive and safe for teh next generation. Please do not forget to Donate to the EHA to help preserve our past!
Miners Memorial Service
On April 26, 2009, the 6th Annual Miners Memorial Service had the added distinction of serving as the ground breaking ceremony for the future Miners Memorial Park. The Everettville Historical Association would like to thank each and every person who participated in the event for making it a complete success!
Ground Breaking Ceremony, (L to R) Father Mojmir Zalcik, Janet Zaharko, 4 WVU Students, Richard Murphy, Carol Thorn, Donald Cutright, David McHallick, Daniel Cutright, Bill Murphy, Larry Bowser, Asel Kennedy, Richard Wilson Jr., Regina Kirchmer, Mark Kerchmer.
Everettville Historical Association President Carol Thorn opens the ceremonies will the Monongalia Marine Corps League Color Guard.
Deacon Ricky Hood of the Friendship Baptist Church gives the service blessing.
Sgt (ret.) Dale Tinney was escorted by one of the Marine Corps League Color Guard. Mr. Tinney was a member of the US Army Air Corps and a Prisoner of War during World War II.
Dale Tinney passes the memorial wreath to Tom Hillyerd of the Marine Corps League Color Guard to carry to the entrance of the Federal No. 3 mine.
Carol Thorn, Jean Wilburn (Regent; Elizabeth Ludington Hagans-Col. John Evans Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution), Delegate Mike Caputo, and Tom Hillyerd place the memorial wreaths for the Miners and Veterans of Federal No.3 mine. A photographer sent by the Dominion Post stands ready nearby to report on the memorial service.
Mary Blount and Chris Plein perform Henry Russell's Last Words, the song written to immortalize all of the miners who were victim to the explosion on April 30, 1927.
Mr. Donald Cutright, Everettville Historical Association's Treasurer and founding member read aloud the names of the victims of the Federal No. 3 mine explosion, adding the name "Unknown Miner" to the end of the list.
Ms. Breanne Hille plays Ashokan Farewell for the memorial attendees.
Dr. Mojmir Zalcik, Russian Orthodox Priest, performs the ground blessing ceremony.
Dr. Mojmir Zalcik blessing the ground at the entrance to Federal No.3 Mine.
West Virginia University Student Kati Singel recounts the historical significance and the history of the Federal No. 3 mine and how it effected the Northern West Virginia community.,/p>
The crowd stands as the Monongalia County Marine Corps League - Detachment 342 Color Guard retires the colors at the end of the ceremony.
Family Survivors present at 2009 Service
Family Member: Miner
Ricky Hood: Ralph Wright
Rebecca Layman: Virgil Straight
Bill Murphy, Rachel Murphy, Richard Murphy, Phyllis Walker, Samuel Walker, Mark Kirchmer: James, Louis, Bernard Murphy & Bernard Tippin
Richard Wilson,Jr and Bonnie Wilson: Alvie Varner
Daniel Thorn and Donna Thompson: Woodrow Neer
Also, many thanks to Morgantown Power Equipment for donating the use of the tents. Thanks to Morgantown Septic Service for donation of portable toilets for the event.
Thorn-Morgan Monument
May 24, 2008
The Thorn-Morgan Monument has a new foundation. The Monument has been sand blasted and cleaned of nearly 118 years of dirt and grime. Now, the only thing left to do is to add new lettering. Below are images of the helpful Everettville community working to renovate this important historical site.
Repairing the Foundation
Thorn Brothers - The great grandsons of Dennis M and Catherine Morgan Thorn repaired the foundation of their great grandparent’s marker. The marker was lying in 5 pieces after being disassembled. From left to right: Dudley L., Daniel R. and Donald M. Thorn.
Replacing the Center Stone
Dan Thorn - Dan Thorn guided the memorial's center stone, now clean after being thoroughly sand blasted and checked for damage. The stone, sitting unattended for over a century, needed the tender loving care so that it can support the memorial for a few more centuries. The center stone is now back in its original resting place.
Cleaning Time
Cleaning the Monument - Sand blasting can be very hazardous, so Rob Lang wears protective clothing for the job. Wearing a protective coat at 70 or 80 degrees is very uncomfortable, but Mr. Lang was enthusiastic to help preserve a piece of local history. Rob graciously donated his services to help preserve the monument of Dennis M. and Catherine “Morgan” Thorn, Grand-daughter of David Morgan.
Halfway Done
Halfway Clean - The Thorn-Morgan Memorial after Rob Lang was half done cleaning. The memorial was build in approximately 1890, so Rob had to contend with about 118 years of dirt and grime accumulation.
Reassembling the Monument
Reassembly - The Thorn-Morgan Memorial was carefully reassembled by lowering the clean stones one-by-one onto a new foundation. Here the final piece is placed on top of the heavy center stones to complete the project by a crane brought in especially for the preservation of the memorial.
Cleaned and Restored
Just in Time for Memorial Day - Dan Thorn, great grandson of Dennis M. and Catherine Morgan Thorn proudly stood by the monument just after the cleaning and restoration procedures were completed. Soon after the monument preservation was completed, the community held the Morgan Reunion at Prickett'e Fort.
Veterans Marker Replacement Program
Donna Thompson and Debra Martin
Placing a Marker
Donna Thorn Thompson is Secretary of the Everettville Historical Association and the Coordinator for the Veterans Marker Replacement Program. Her sister is Debra Thorn Martin. Donna & Debbie have been helping each other place the Veterans Markers that Donna has received through her research.
The first marker placed by the Everettville Historical Association’s Veterans Marker Replacement Program is that of James S. Thorn
Veterans Marker for James S. Thorn
West Virginia Highway Historical Marker program
The West Virginia State Archives periodically recognizes historical people, groups, and events that are significant to West Virginia's past. The archives reviews applications submitted by organizations within the state who seek to memorialize a physical location connected to the historical subject. Approved historical subjects are marked on a nearby road or other travel-way with a cast aluminum historical marker bearing the state seal and a short inscription about the person or event. There are over 1000 state sponsored historical markers throughout West Virginia. Only twelve of those markers are dedicated to the memory of the hard work and sacrifices made by our state’s miners. Of those twelve, only two are located in northern counties.
Since the Federal No. 3 mine in Everettville, West Virginia was closed in 1951, and reclaimed and sealed in 1997, there is no trace of the site or the disaster that occurred there in 1927 aside from the mine's name inscribed on the hillside above where the entrance once was. A West Virginia State Historical Marker located at a nearby intersection with Route 19 will mark the historical significance of the mine itself and the miners who worked within its black recesses in northern West Virginia history. Their memory must never be forgotten, and the historical marker will serve as a reminder to all who drive past the site of the sacrifice West Virginia's miners have made and continue to make to keep our country strong.
Marker Details
Proposed Location for State Historical Marker
Proposed Marker Text
Located to the southeast of this spot, the Federal No. 3 mine
was the original center of Everettville, WV. The miners of Federal
No. 3 mine helped to develop the Upper Monongalia region. On
April 30, 1927, disaster stuck the mine and the town when an
explosion killed about 111 miners, some of which are still buried in
the hillside.
On March 6, 2009, the Everettville Historical Association had the honor and pleasure of hosting 32 students from West Virginia University's Landscape Architecture classes. The WVU Landscape Architecture and Plant & Design classes will design the Miners Memorial Park landscapes.
 |
Group photo with EHA President Carol Thorn in front of Federal Mine No.3 |
 |
Students walking to the Memorial site. The small gravel access road will provide easy access to the Miners Memorial Park. |
 |
Several students involved in the project. Architecture and landscape design students are crucial to the planning of the park. Their enthusiastic support and hard work and the support of the instructors is helping the EHA build the park into a perfect historical and memorial get-a-way. |
 |
Ice on the hill over the old entrance to Federal # 3 shows the brisk cold morning the students visited the site. |
 |
Students and their instructor looking over the side of the hill infront of the mine entrance. The Students carefully explored the site and took notes and sketches to help them better plan the landcape architecture of teh future park plans. |
 |
After a long morning of exploring the site, the students sat down and compared notes. Collaboration together and with EHA President Carol Thorn proved to be key to getting the base plans for the site down on paper. |
